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[justsomeshrimp]

【the ❝CALL ME OUT❞ meme】
a roleplay meme to inspire muses.

♛ refer to the list here for active muses.
♛ post "calling" one of them out — you can do so by putting their name in the subject line!
♛ can be informal/formal/previous game canon/spur of the moment/crosscanon/whatever tickles your fancy! don't even need to ask me just post whenever you'd like
♛ feel free to make up a scenario at the start, or wait to see where things go.
♛ nsfw version here.

meme code.

Comments

Surprise me whoever you got! Also, if this isn't okay, let me know!

[wantedposter]

Hey, did you hear?

Someone opened up an arcade nearby! You want to come along?

perfectly ok <3

[neverstopgrowing]

Wow, wait really?? O_O Of course count me in! Where is it?

[unveilingtruths]

[After everything, Ysayle would not believe that it would end this way. Outside her demeanor remained calm, still, but there was an undeniable strain to her expression that betrayed that tiny flutter of fear within her breast.

A part of the Elezen wanted to be angry, yet she knew the hypocrisy in that. When she had seen Stelletta look towards them, that damnable machine in her hands, her heart had sunk immediately knowing what the Miqo'te had planned and before she could utter a word they'd all been transported to the Loporrits ship where they had had no choice but to stay there and wait.

And wait.

And wait.

Then came Meteion with word that Stelletta was coming soon...

And more waiting and waiting and waiting.

Her heart had near burst by the time Stelletta had returned and she had forced herself to step back while all the healers did their work, cursing herself for never picking up the art. Now she kept vigil, her hand gently holding the warrior's smaller hand.

Here she would wait forever if need be.]

[shadowstrides]

[ She had been willing to make that ultimate sacrifice at the end of the universe. For the good of the star and all the others. It wasn't necessarily out of any grand obligation and more so that was her own nature - Kind and caring. Of course it had hurt to press the button, especially seeing Ysayle's expression as she and the other scions had teleported one by one back to the Ragnarok, but it was for the best. She kept telling herself that.

And yet somehow, she'd survived. Only to face another challenge in Zenos, finally having the decisive battle that he'd craved and that she knew had been inevitable.

It was the hardest fight she had known and as she lay there collapsed, broken, and bleeding heavily at the end of the universe, she couldn't help but wonder if this was how it ended. Was she at peace? Did she have lingering regrets? The Miqo'te had always been so selfless that she rarely focused on herself and she truly didn't know. What was certain however, was as she lost consciousness her last thoughts lingered again on a particular Elezen woman and something twinged in her heart before darkness claimed her.

And so she floated in a limbo, dreamless and quiet and timeless.

It wasn't a gradual awakening. One moment she was in the black and the next she could feel the weight of blankets upon her, smell the tang of medicinal ointments in the air, the dull ache of her wounds. Even then it's still disorienting as she groans softly. ]

Nngh...

[ She can feel a hand on hers and her own fingers automatically curl and flex to hold on to that tether as she surfaces back into conscious thought and mismatched eyes flutter open. When she notices who is grasping her hand, she speaks softly and haltingly, voice unused for so long in her unconsciousness. ]

...Ysayle...?

[unveilingtruths]

[That small sound seemed to freeze the world around her and Ysayle stared, almost afraid to believe, thinking she might have imagined it. She stared, breath caught in her mouth and when she feels the slight movement against her hand her eyes dart down to it.

Even for her it takes everything in her to remain composed and she swallows hard, gently curling her hand tighter against Stelletta's.

Yet when the Miqo'te opens her eyes, Ysayle can hold back no longer. Her own eyes film up and she has to take a moment to press her lips together.]

Oh. Oh thank... [She's not even sure who to thank for a moment, before you finally settles on] you. Thank you so much for coming back.

[She gently leans down to press her forehead against Stelletta, fearing that moving her too much would cause undo pain.]

[silksentinel]

[Hornet was the pragmatic sort--taking things as they are, neither living in denial or undeserved hope; yet despite this a part of her wondered if this was all a dream she would wake from. After all those long years playing guard, protecting the few residents that remained, slaying any vessels too weak to take on the Hollow Knight's mantle, and eventually trying--and failing to piece together the history of her mother and the other Weavers.

Still, despite the disconnect she was feeling, she did not let that get in the way of her doing what she could with all that was left in the wake of the Radiance's demise. Both the Hollow Knight and the little Ghost who had made all this possible were alive, and many of the once infected residents were slowly having their minds returned to them.

....some. Others were too far gone and Hornet thought it would be a mercy to lay them low, but for now there were other matters.

Such as tending to Hollow Knight. Getting them up to the surface was a task that had required enlisting the aid of multiple bugs but eventually it was accomplished. They had settled them into one of the homes in Dirtmouth.

Well.

Their upper body anyway. There were no homes big enough to accommodate them and so their legs stuck out the threshold in a ridiculous manner.]

...do they truly yet live?

[She asked this of the Knight by her side. As a creature of the void they would be able to tell much better than she could.]

[voidbug]

[Honestly, they had no way of knowing for certain either. Maybe they could detect something with the Void Heart, but there was still a lot they don't quite understand yet. Having spent more time around their siblings' shades, ironically the Knight knows very little how a living vessel actually functions; let alone what happens to one after they been infected.]

[Instead the Knight silently tilts their head down, not that they could easily respond anyway. Although it seems the answer is not a definitive 'no' at the very least.]

[...And then, they eventually thought of something. They never tried focusing Soul into anything other than themself, if it's even possible. But if it is, maybe it was just the boost their sibling needed to wake up..?]

[The Knight stepped a little closer and placed a tiny hand on the Hollow Knight's side; well, as best they could reach anyway. A gust of wind bellowed around them, and once they charged up enough energy, a flash of white light.]

[Nothing had changed. Nothing on the surface at any rate. The Knight also didn't feel much different either. They took their hand off and tried inspecting it.]

[silksentinel]

[ It seemed they were unaware as well. Hornet was about to say more when she say them begin to focus and she snapped her mouth shut, not wanting to distract them. There was a faint bit of hope as she watched the process, only to be slightly disappointed. After a moment of consideration she pulled forth silk from her shell to wrap it around one of Hollow Knight's horns, watching it glow and fade into them.

The results were the same.]

It seems that we can only stand vigil then.

[That was fine. She had done so for many years, and these were much better circumstances than before. She settled down, leaning against her much bigger sibling and look towards the Knight.]

It is a grand thing you have done, little Ghost. One I had for so long thought impossible. What will you do now? Will you stay here? [Or would they return to venture in the wastes beyond this kingdom?]

[voidbug]

[They gave a small nod about staying vigilant. It's unfortunate neither attempt seemed to work but they both might need to give it some time.]

[As for the question, it was something the Knight had never thought about before. To be fair, there was no reason to. They didn't exactly plan anything out this far.]

[For a moment they looked a little lost and confused. Sure, they would stay behind for their sibling, but after that...]

[The Knight glanced around the rest of the somewhat cramped room for any immediate ideas. Nothing was still coming to mind, so instead they tried turning to something else and opened up their Hunter's Journal.]

[Normally, small doodles or pointing at the map was enough to get by; but this instance was a little different. They flipped to a blank page...or an entry they never had time to fill in. Anywhere with enough open space.]

What will happen now? [They wrote down for Hornet to see. With the Radiance gone and the infected cured, there would probably be a great deal of changes.]

[silksentinel]

[Now that is the big question, isn't it?]

Much of that will depend on those here in Dirtmouth, I suppose. I suspect mnay will remain here, being neither warriors nor knowing anything else. [Maybe? Hornet hadn't really ever considered the possibility of bringing down the Radiance permanently until the vessel she dubbed Ghost appeared.

So. She hadn't the faintest idea of where to go from here. What would her mother want? What would their father want? Did they even want to consider such things?]

We could aid them if we so wished. With repairs, finding or creating a steady food supply...

[A small shrug]

Or. We could leave. Find some place else. [So many of the bugs of Hallownest had been lead to believe it was the only civilized place left. Yet the Weavers had come from somewhere beyond the waste, so that could not be true.]

[voidbug]

[To stay or to leave...the Knight was still unsure which to go with. They had left before, but to be frank, they don't remember much of what was out there.]

[Eventually they slumped down the wall and into a proper sit, opposite of Hornet. While putting the journal away though, they did catch a glimpse of the faint mark seared on their hand; the King's Brand. The next ruler of Hallownest allegedly. They never gave any thought how much weight it had beyond opening the abyssal door. So they paused, staring at it for a moment.]

[Then raised it up to show Hornet. Of course, she had been guarding it so she must know a lot more. Would the kingdom be fine without it?]

[silksentinel]

[She looks at the mark seared onto her sibling's hand. It deemed them this land's ruler and was the only thing that could open the way to the Ancient Basin. There was a brief moment in which she wondered if leaving that door ajar was safe, but then she figured with this vessel having full control of the avoid there was nothing to worry about.

She let out a soft, almost amused hum.]

Would you enjoy ruling, little Ghost?

[voidbug]

[The Knight froze. That wasn't what they meant, although through silence and not much else, it was obvious how that happened.]

[Quickly they lowered it, practically tucking their hand under the cloak, while shaking their head. If anyone was curious whether vessels could feel embarrassed or flustered, they might have just found the answer.]

[Besides, ruling sounds too hard and stressful anyway. Doubt they were cut out for it.]

[silksentinel]

[Now look at that. That might perhaps be the most expressive she has ever seen them. It was almost funny. She couldn't say the idea particularly appealed to her either, so she hardly blames them.]

Well, there is certainly no need to settle on a decision at this moment. We may bide our time, see how all unfolds.

[She tenses for a moment when Hollow Knight shifts and becomes very still. Her gaze falls on their much larger sibling as they turn on their side and slowly start to push themselves up before their horns bang against the top of the hut and they shift back down.]

[voidbug]

[The movement was startling, triggering almost a fight or flight for a split second. Although once they finally registered what was happening, the Knight got off the floor and clinged to the side of the bed; sort of akin to an excited toddler.]

[...Also a nervous one too. There should be nothing to worry about with the Infection gone, but the battle was still pretty fresh in their mind. And they don't know too much what their sibling is actually like.]

[threadsbare]

[When Lace came to the first thing she felt was confusion. This wasn't that desolate well that she and her mother had fallen into. That was the place she had been ready to happily be the eternal prison, if not resting place for the two of them.

The silk creature turned when she caught movement out of the corner of her eye, and there she was. That damnable spider. The memories trickled back, and while she could recall nothing after her defeat, it wasn't hard to put the pieces together.

She laughed, the sound carrying with it a strained note and shook her head.]

Now really, spider? You saved me? What a strain that must have put on your escape. Certainly not the actions I would have expected for one so smartly dedicating to not sacrificing their life.

[threadstorm]

[ Is there any gratitude in Lace's voice at all? Hornet isn't sure. Even just a hint for her efforts would be nice, though she would have saved Lace regardless.

No matter. She supposes she should not expect any thanks from a bug with no will to live. She slumps, exhausted. The position is terribly unbecoming of her, but she is too tired to care, sagging for a long while until she musters the energy to respond. ]

Would you have preferred I left you there?

[threadsbare]

[Lace had not been expecting such a direct question. As far as she's concerned, the answer should be obvious and yet for once something makes her reluctant to voice it. That hesitation stretches for longer than she'd like, before finally she just answers.]

It matters not now, does it?

[For her the bigger question is why Hornet bothered, but that too she feels some reluctance in vocalizing and all this reluctance was beginning to irritate her.

With shaky legs she got up and took a look around. They were still in the Abyss, and so far from safe. Odd that down here there should be structures of any kind, but at least it provided some semblance of a pathway. She looks down the pathway, then back atHornet, then back down the pathway.]

...

[As much as the spider confounds and frustrates her, Lace did mean it when she said she liked her. As much as Lace doesn't care much for her own continued existence, the spider deserved better than to rot down here. She was damn tired herself after that beatdown but whatever Hornet had needed to do to get them both safely out of there had drained her of energy so it looked like she was better of between the two of them.]

Come. If you insist on continuing to exist, dawdling here will jeopardize that.

[She went over to her, kneeling down so she could tug one of Hornet's arms over her shoulder so she had something to lean on.

still getting used to hornet myself so forgive me

[threadstorm]

[ A grunt as Lace gets Hornet's arm over her shoulder, half from surprise and half from pain. She appreciates the gesture, as much as it hurts to stand. No matter. She did not intend on dying in the Abyss. She had much more life left to live -- and so did this bug at her side, even if Lace did not embrace it yet.

Hornet gets to her feet, stumbling briefly. She took a good few knocks to her head, but she makes a point of forcing herself to get it together. She leans on Lace far less than she should. It would be bad for her image if she draped herself over her. ]

...

[ Hornet glances over her shoulder.

The little Ghost she had once known was not so little anymore.

She wishes she could spend more time with her sibling, but the world had always kept on moving regardless of how she had ever felt.

Perhaps they would meet again one day -- one day, when she could introduce Lace.

She thinks of Grand Mother Silk, too, and everything and everyone she left behind for others to clean up; all the pieces left to put together.

Hornet treks on, as she always has.

There is silence again for some time as she walks with Lace. She likes how Lace's touch feels on her. It feels like a certain kind of touch she has not had in so very long. The old yet familiar warmth of this touch, ancient and dusty, rises and wraps around her like the tendrils of the Abyss. ]

Are you injured? I would ease your pain in any way that I am able.

you're doing great, no worries! <3

[threadsbare]

[Lace's mind is blank as they walk on.

None of this went how she expected.

She had been full of jealousy, rage and pity when she learned of her mother's plans for Hornet. It was what had driven her to send that silk fly to the enchanted cage she'd been brought it. It was simple. She'd free her, then kill her and eventually her mother's continued dependence on her would see her acknowledged and loved.

In retrospect, perhaps not the best plan, but it's hardly as if things could get worse. Not to mention if her mother had been successful, merely binding the spider would have been the kindest thing she could do.

Yet because of that single action, here they were. Her mother dead, herself nearly dead as well lost to phenomena she knew nothing about, and look how the land had changed.

What was to happen now?

Her thoughts were broken by Hornet's question and it takes a moment for Lace to parse what she said.]

Oh spider, how sweet of you. I did not know you could be so soft. No, there is nothing that cannot wait. [There were tears in her body but surprisingly that void had absorbed the worst of it.] Save your energy.

[She stopped and stared ahead where she could see a dead end, looked around, then cast her gaze upward. Hm. That was a long ways up.]

♡♡♡

[threadstorm]

[ Soft? Ridiculous. Hornet holds her tongue. She has to press in just so with her fangs to keep a lashing contained. Whatever she could say in response is lost as they hit a dead end and Hornet peers up at the long and daunting channel right above her head, anyways.

It's a long way up. Any fall from a climb attempt would prove deadly. Though, Hornet sees light at the far end of the chamber -- dreary and gloomy light, but light nonetheless.

Another leap would be needed. Good thing she had plenty of silk at hand.

She eases off of Lace's shoulder, takes a deep breath to summon her strength and kneels, a silent invitation for Lace to...climb into her arms. She hadn't considered the possibility that she'd have to carry her while conscious and -- there is not exactly any good position that isn't either tender or ridiculous or both. Getting it over with as fast as possible is preferable, but Hornet has a feeling Lace isn't going to let her forget this one way or another. ]

Come. I can get us both up there, but I need to carry you.

[ She's praying Lace doesn't say anything and just listens. Please. ]

[threadsbare]

[Lace gave Hornet a skeptical look. She looked upward once more, considering. She could jump high, but certainly not that high. Which meant there wasn't exactly a whole lot of options left to them.

Being carried away in such a manner felt downright humiliating and she might have considered just staying down here, but she doubted the pathway would be clear of vicious creatures and in Hornet's case...

Internally she wasn't pleased about this but she put on her usual saccharine smile and does just that, slipping into the weaver's arms. Unsurprisingly, the silk creature is quite light, much more so than her appearance might indicate.]

If you wished to be this close, spider, you need only have said so.

[She wraps her arms loosely around Hornet's neck and winks. Well. She listened, but she still had to run her mouth.]

[threadstorm]

[ SIGH. Hornet gnashes her fangs again. ]

Insolent child, you push my patience to limits I did not know I had. I ought to leave you here for your absence of any humility, but you would prefer it that way. Hold on tightly.

[ One last look over her shoulder, so brief it could be missed with a blink, thinking again of her family in the darkness, and Hornet crouches, sends her needle shooting upwards until it finds purchase in the roof, and soars with Lace tightly in her claws. Upside down, she clings tightly to the ceiling, then releases and lands on her feet with a well-measured hop.

There are old lamps here. Light, more light. She has a better look at Lace here and she takes the chance to observe her. She is just as feather-light and as soft as Hornet had imagined, as plush as her own silk. It puts no strain on her already aching muscles and -- she gets a good look at Lace's features, too, now that they aren't dueling. She looks delicate and gentle and Hornet feels she could break her accidentally.

...

That settles it. She carries on with Lace in her arms. If she gets cheeky Hornet will just throw her over her shoulder. ]

I have made my decision. I shall carry you the rest of the way out. After that, I will return your freedom. [ She paused. What was Lace going to do now? ] ...My condolences for the loss of your mother. Yet, you are your own bug now -- free to make your own decisions, and free to be anyone you'd like. Though, if you attempt to return here again, know that I shall stop you.

[threadsbare]

[As much as she disliked the reminder of what she was meant to be, it was worth it. Hornet was perfect. An incredible fighter that has bested her at every turn, one almost always confident and calm, beautiful and from what she has seen during her times observing her, inventive and kind.

Most of all, she was a real bug. One who could create the most brilliant of silk, instead of one who needed copious amounts to be sustained.

No wonder her mother had preferred her.

Being able to needle Hornet was satisfying for that, but also the adorable reaction she gave.

...

Perhaps she deserved the title, but at this point, what did it matter?

She's going to make a remark when she notices Hornet look back. It's not the first time she seems distracted and Lace is about to ask if she left something behind when Hornet follows up on her statement.]

Now come now. How are either of us to fight if we come across any nasty little creatures? I can walk the rest of the way.

[She pointedly ignored the comments of her mother and freedom]

[threadstorm]

[ Another leap, and another one. The air is getting warmer here. She can feel the welcoming heat on her face and relief washes over her. Not too far off from Deep Docks now. ]

In that case, I will defend us both. You were a far more challenging opponent than anything roaming these paths. Rest.

[ She hoists Lace over one shoulder. Up she goes. ]

You did not answer my question, little bug. What will you do?

[ As much as Hornet wants to give Lace the absolute freedom she deserves, a part of her is worried about leaving her on her own. Not just because she is concerned she will spiral or break down without anyone to lean on after having her life uprooted, but because it feels unfair, somehow. Lace had saved her from being pulled into the Abyss, and Hornet had saved Lace from being consumed by it.

They had a connection now. She feels as if Lace must have come into her life for a reason.

She would like to spend some time together.

Bellhome?

But there was only... ]

You can stay a while in my home, if you would like. ...But there is only one bed.

[ Hornet frowns. That is no way to treat a lady and a guest. And Lace, as much of a little brat as she is, is still a lady. ]

No matter. I can sleep on the couch.